A high-level meeting convened by the Pune Congress on Saturday proposed a slew of measures to tackle the city's worsening traffic congestion, which has turned daily commutes into a nightmare for residents. Key suggestions included reducing crisscross movement at junctions, clearing encroachments, overhauling PMPML bus routes, introducing smaller buses in crowded areas, and implementing a pay-and-park system on busy stretches.
Stakeholders Unite to Address Traffic Woes
The meeting brought together traffic police officers, officials from PMPML, the Regional Transport Office (RTO), and Pune Metro, all grappling with the pressing question of how to untangle Pune's traffic nightmare. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sandeep Bhajibhakre highlighted that the traffic department has begun re-engineering major junctions in coordination with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Junction Engineering Shows Promise
Bhajibhakre pointed to the recent overhaul at RTO Chowk, where eliminating right turns and introducing U-turns significantly reduced congestion and waiting time. Encouraged by these results, the department plans similar interventions at other traffic hotspots across the city.
PMPML Eyes Smaller Buses for Narrow Lanes
On the public transport front, PMPML's Joint Managing Director Alice Pore acknowledged the growing strain on the system and hinted at a strategic shift. She stated that the transport body is exploring the introduction of smaller buses that can navigate the narrow and crowded lanes of core city areas. Pore added that nearly 95% of commuters already have access to bus stops within 500 metres, but stressed the need to improve frequency and rationalise routes to enhance efficiency.
Pore also highlighted a critical infrastructure bottleneck: lack of space. Existing depots are inadequate to park buses, and there is an urgent need for land not only for parking but also for creating bus stops near Metro stations, underlining the interconnected nature of the city's transport challenges.
Congress Calls for Unified Action
Hosting the meet, Congress city president and former MLA Dipti Chavdhari painted a stark picture of daily life in Pune, stating that commuting has become a nightmare for citizens. The meeting aimed to create a unified platform where all stakeholders could confront the issue head-on. She announced a follow-up review in the coming months to assess progress and assured that the party would continue to amplify the concerns of common citizens.
Immediate and Long-Term Measures Proposed
Adding urgency to the discussions, Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil outlined immediate measures, including removing traffic signals at select junctions, introducing one-way roads, eliminating encroachments, widening choke points, and completing missing road links. He asserted that these measures could bring quick improvement in traffic flow. However, he emphasised that the long-term vision lies in technology-driven solutions, including smarter monitoring systems, apps, and stricter enforcement mechanisms to manage the city's swelling vehicle population.
